Red Bank Catholic’s Buddy Hausman presented John Nimeth with his graduation sign. Nimeth will play college baseball in Texas at Howard College.
By Rich Chrampanis
The pages of The Two River Times sports section are supposed to be filled with stories and features on high school athletes. With spring sports canceled, we want to honor the senior athletes who didn’t get a chance to complete their high school careers. Throughout May and June we will give coaches and athletes a voice to thank their seniors for what they contributed on and off the field.
RED BANK – Buddy Hausman was like many of those in the high school sports community when the coronavirus first shut down spring sports. There was always optimism that maybe there could be some kind of season. He saw the revised plan of a limited schedule against division teams followed by a Shore Conference Tournament that wrapped up at the end of June.
But last week’s announcement that spring sports was canceled in 2020 delivered the harsh reality of no baseball at Count Basie Park for the Caseys. The RBC head baseball coach is accustomed to spending countless hours with his players at practice, on road trips and in the dugout. Hausman had to settle for one caravan road trip to say goodbye to his 13 seniors, delivering graduation signs wearing a mask and safely interacting with his players on their front lawn instead of on the diamond for a few minutes instead of an entire season.
“Going from seeing them everyday to not seeing them in person since March 13 when I said see you in two weeks, this was something I think I needed just as much as them,” Hausman said.
Coach Hausman sends this message to his 13 seniors:
“You are a group of young men that left this program better than you when you came in. Your hard work and dedication both in the classroom and on the field will always be remembered. Our goal was to end the season turning in our uniforms in the new Count Basie locker room after a championship. Every one of you worked toward that goal of being a better person, baseball player, and teammate since we celebrated in the Shore Conference final. This experience in life will be one you will carry with you for the rest of your lives. Learn from this experience to help you become a better man, husband, and father down the road. It was an honor to coach every one of you and always remember, ‘Once a Casey, Always a Casey.’ ”
RBC Senior Baseball Players: Tyler Birnbaum, Anthony Colucci, Justin DeAmbrose, Chris Disco, Robert Gonzalez, Brayden Kiel, Mark Lurie, Evan Mottola, John Nimeth, Devon Rodriques, Chris Sparber, Jack Scrivanic, Jared Terefenko
The article originally appeared in the May 14 – 20, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
